Amusement for John Bull & his cousin Paddy, or, the gambols of the Ame...
A large basket of loaves and fishes lies upset in the street, probably due to the grinning American buffalo, which looks on. Ministers and would-be ministers scramble for the fallen food. Courtesy of Boston pu... More
The colonies reduced ; Its companion
Two cartoons. The upper cartoon, "The colonies reduced," shows Britannia seated with arms and legs (labeled Pennsyl, New York, New Eng, and Virg) cut off. The lower cartoon, "Its companion," shows France defend... More
The able doctor, or American swallowing the bitter draught
The fair Indian damsel America held down by Lord Mansfield while Lord North forces tea down her throat. Boston is cannonaded in the background. Published the day after the Boston Port Bill closed Boston's port ... More
The recruiting serjeant or Brittanniais happy prospect
Henry Fox plays the recruiting sergeant, trying to get political recruits like the Earl of Sandwich, who follows. George III and his German connections are attacked. On a pedestal is inscribed "Britannia Subac ... More
The Scotch butchery, Boston, 1775
Print shows Lords Bute and Mansfield conferring, to their right stands Simon Fraser and Lord Wedderburn, "Deputies" to the aforenamed. On the far right are soldiers wearing Highland dress (of the 71st Regiment ... More
The political cartoon, for the year 1775
Mansfield drives an open coach carrying George III and North toward a cliff. North looks on with approval -- only Chatham and Camden try to stop the coach. Across the waters America burns. Courtesy of Boston Pu... More
The new country dance, as dance at C****. July the 30th, 1766
Satire on George III's court (the king plays the fiddler). Wilkes is carried off by a witch as he relieves himself on Lord Bute. Pitt talks with a half-naked Indian representing America and the devil dances wit... More
The Whitehall pump - A drawing of a group of people standing around a ...
Lord North pumps water into the mouth of Britannia, nearly drowning her, while her Indian daughter America lies underneath her. The pump head is shaped like George III. Fox smiles on from a window in the backgr... More
The patriotick barber of New York, or the Captain in the suds
Cartoon shows a New York barber refusing to finish shaving a customer after learning of his British identity. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
![The English lion dismember'd, or the voice of the public for an enquiry into the loss of Minorca--with Adl. B[yn]g’s plea before his examiners](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn27/L3Bob3RvLzE3NTYvMDEvMDEvdGhlLWVuZ2xpc2gtbGlvbi1kaXNtZW1iZXJkLW9yLXRoZS12b2ljZS1vZi10aGUtcHVibGljLWZvci1hbi1lbnF1aXJ5LWludG8tMmNmMTQyLTEwMjQuanBn/40/28/webp "The English lion dismember'd, or the voice of the public for an enquiry into the loss of Minorca--with Adl. B[yn]g’s plea before his examiners")
The English lion dismember'd, or the voice of the public for an enquir...
A lion with one of his paws (labeled Minorca) cut off. Frenchmen consult to one side about cutting more off while the Lord Mayor of London and other English politicians consult on the other. Minorca had been lo... More
The vanity of human glory. A design for the monument of General Wolfe,...
An attack on George Sackville for his alleged misconduct at Minden. Wolfe had recently died in glory on the battlefield at Quebec. The hound in the cartoon represents Sackville -- it is disgracing itself on the... More
The deplorable state of America or sc--h government
Britannia opens Pandora's Box (the Stamp Act) while Liberty is repressed by a thistle representing Lord Bute, or "Scotch Government." Courtesy of Boston Public Library
The repeal. Or the funeral procession, of Miss Americ-stamp
The Stamp Act is put to rest in a funeral procession on a London quay. George Grenville carries the coffin and Lord Bute follows as chief mourner. This was a very popular print, frequently copied, and this vers... More
The repeal, or the funeral of Miss Ame- stamp
The Stamp Act is put to rest in a funeral procession on a London quay. George Grenville carries the coffin and Lord Bute follows as chief mourner. This was a very popular print, frequently copied. Dorothy Georg... More
Magna Britania her colonies reduc'd.
Britannia seated with arms and legs (labeled Pennsyl, New York, New Eng, and Virg) cut off. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
The Premier distributing the loaves and fishes to the labourers in His...
Lord North on stilts supported by Mansfield and Bute distributes spoils like tithes and pensions to an unruly mob of supporters. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
The state cotillon 1773 - Engraving, Public domain image
Ten men dance to a bagpipe played by Lord Bute at a council meeting. They trample on the national debt, grievance, and other official papers. George III looks on with amusement from behind a door. Courtesy of B... More
A new method of Macarony making, as practiced at Boston.
Print shows two men with a tarred and feathered customs officer, they are forcing him to drink from a large teapot. The man has a short piece of rope around his neck which may have been attached to the piece of... More
Philip Dawe - The Bostonians in distress, plate II.
Print shows ten Bostonians in a huge cage suspended from the Liberty Tree. British seamen hand them fish while cannons, ships and soldiers surround them in the background. This was published at the time Boston ... More
Philip Dawe - The Bostonians in distress, plate II.
Print shows ten Bostonians in a huge cage suspended from the Liberty Tree. British seamen hand them fish while cannons, ships and soldiers surround them in the background. This was published at the time Boston ... More
The thistle reel - Canada, 1775-1783
Bute, Mansfield, and North dance around the vision of a huge thistle while the devil plays the bagpipes in the clouds above. The government's policy toward America is attacked as inspired by Scottish influence,... More
The patriotick barber of New York, or the Captain in the suds, plate I...
Cartoon shows a New York barber refusing to finish shaving a customer after learning of his British identity. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
A society of patriotic ladies, at Edenton in North Carolina
Print shows satire of American women from Edenton, North Carolina pledging to boycott English tea in response to Continental Congress resolution in 1774 to boycott English goods. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Virtual representation, 1775 - A drawing of a group of men in historic...
Bute aims a blunderbuss at an American gentleman with a club while Britannia falls into "the Pit Prepared for Others." In the background, Roman Catholic Quebec sits serenely on the hill while "the English Prote... More
Philip Dawe - The alternative of Williams-burg
Print shows a "Virginian loyalist" being forced to sign a document, possibly issued by the Williamsburg Convention, by a club-wielding mob of "liberty men." On the left, a man is being led towards a gallows sta... More
A political lesson - A black and white drawing of a man on a horse
A rider representing England falls off his horse on the road from Salem to Boston. At this time the port of Boston was closed and Salem was the nearest port open. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
News from America, or the patriots in the dumps
Lord North shows a letter from General Howe, whose victory at Long Island had just recently been announced. A dowdy, bare-breasted woman with a liberty cap falls down weeping and American ships sink in the back... More
The parricide. A sketch of modern patriotism
An Indian maiden, America, directed by Wilkes, stabs a half-clothed Britannia, who is also being attacked by Camden's lion. Cresswell comments that this lacks the humor found in most English cartoons at the tim... More
A picturesque view of the state of the nation for February 1778
In the foreground, an American Indian saws off the one remaining horn of a cow representing Britain. A Dutchman milks the cow while a Frenchman and Spaniard await their turns. In the background, the Howe brothe... More
A picturesque view of the state of Great Britain for (1778? or 1780?)
In the foreground, an American Indian saws off the one remaining horn of a cow representing Britain. A Dutchman milks the cow while a Frenchman and Spaniard await their turns. In the background, the Howe brothe... More
The present state of Great Britain
John Bull protected by a Scot (Bute) who is holding off a foppish Frenchman with one hand while helping John Bull to hold up a staff with a liberty cap with the other hand. A Dutchman picks john Bull's pocket w... More
The family compact - A drawing of three people dressed in costumes
The devil holds the kings of Spain and France together. This was in reference to the Bourbon Family Compact, whereby Spain joined France against England. The publication line mocks British copyright laws -- "Pu... More
Omne animal post Coitum triste praeter Gallum. Leur imprudence présomp...
Dorothy George, BM 5581, mentions two French satires. One is entitled "O qu'el d'estain," and shows a tiger (England) being attacked by a cock (France), a lion (Spain), and a snake (America). The title is a pun... More
The political raree-show: or a picture of parties and politics, during...
A boy looks into a peep show to see twelve pictures of recent events in the British empire. 1) Lord North borrows money from Jews while Spain declares war on England. 2) The English general Burgoyne kneels to A... More
The English lion dismember'd or the voice of the public for an enquiry...
Similar to 1756 cartoon on Minorca. Lord North carries a large sack entitled BUDGET as he drags the British lion on a chain behind him. The lion has lost one of its paws (labeled America) to an American Indian'... More
Het tegenwoordig verward Europa
England is in danger because her bank is suspended on the horn of a unicorn while infant America, France, and Spain harass him. Only a Dutch skipper helps England. The Netherlands was primarily concerned for it... More
Eerwardigen Nederlander. De tweede oeconomische plaat
Anti-English cartoon of war years. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
The allies - par nobile fratrum!
Print shows George III sharing a bone with a Native chief. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Den door list en geweld Aangevallen leeuw
Propaganda of the pro-English party of the Stadtholder, which was opposed by the "Patriots" of the Dutch cities and especially of Amsterdam, where French influence was potent. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Het tegenwoordig verward Europa
England is in danger because her bank is suspended on the horn of a unicorn while infant America, France, and Spain harass him. Only a Dutch skipper helps England. The Netherlands was primarily concerned for it... More
De eerste oeconomische plaat. Een jongen ryken Hollander
Concerns the problems of Dutch neutrality amid the warring powers of Europe. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
York town - A drawing of a group of people on horseback
An emaciated cow representing British commerce grazed on Scottish thistles. Men representing France, Spain, and Holland have just milked the cow. The British lion howls because he has hurt his foot on a broken ... More
The reconciliation between Britania and her daughter America
An American Indian rushes into the arms of Britannia while a Spaniard and Frenchman try to keep her away. A Dutchman looks on to see who will win the struggle. Catherine the Great had offered to mediate and thi... More
The political mirror or an exhibition of ministers for April 1782
Old ministers are driven over the cliff into hell by new ministry, including Fox, Burke, and Wilkes. Bute flees on the back of a witch. Dorothy George argues that the attribution "Razo Rezio inv, Crunk Fogo scu... More
The royal hunt, or a prospect of the year 1782
Sandwich and North carouse with courtesans while an American Indian, a Frenchman, a Spaniard and a Dutchman are pulling the pillars out from under the British Empire. This print, attributed to Townshend, was co... More
Thomas Rowlandson - The loss of Eden, - and Eden, lost.
A pun on William Eden, who was asked by Pitt to negotiate the commercial treaty with France, but turned to America instead. He is compared with Benedict Arnold. Courtesy of Boston Public Library Thomas Rowland... More
The rats leaving a falling house
This cartoon commemorates "the time Jackson's cabinet resigned over the Peggy Eaton scandal, 1831.The cabinet members are portrayed as rats with human heads, and Jackson, seated in a collapsing chair, has his l... More
The political barbecue. Going the whole hog.
Andrew Jackson is roasted over the fires of "Public Opinion" by the figure of Justice in a cartoon relating to the controversy surrounding Jackson's removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United State... More
(Congressional elephant) or last desperate pull for power
Election of 1832? Andrew Jackson pulls mightily on the tail of an elephant (symbol of the National Republican Party?) loaded with the eagle of the Republic and a bag marked "U. S. Treasures 200,000,000." A youn... More
The Trollope family - Engraving, Public domain image
This cartoon was printed as a rebuttal to Domestic Manners of the Americans, a "querulous and one-sided" book written by Mrs. Trollope after living in Cincinnate, a backwoods settlement. "Her irritation at the ... More
Caricature, Chevy Chase or the bank runner, public domain cartoon imag...
This cartoon probably has to do with the local events concerning the extinction of the Bank of the United States. The "Biddle" referred to is Nicholas Biddle, President of the Bank of the U. S. Courtesy of Bost... More
The kitchen cabinet, or political money changers removing the deposits
Andrew Jackson vs. the Bank of the United States. Jackson vetoed the renewal of the Charter of the Bank of the United States just before the election of 1832. After the election, having safely defeated Henry Cl... More
Set to between Old Hickory and Bully Nick
Satire on the public conflict between Andrew Jackson and Nicholas Biddle over the future of the Bank of the United States, and the former's campaign to destroy it. The print is sympathetic to Jackson, portrayin... More
Caricature, Political firmament, public domain cartoon image
Jackson and the Major (Major Downing) are standing in the open, and about and above them are rings of glory - a goodhumored jibe at van Buren's attempt to make the Jacksonian policies as glorious. Courtesy of ... More
The Globe-man after hearing of the vote on the sub-Treasury bill
Evidently a companion to "The Globe Man Listening to Webster's speech on the Specie Circular" (no. 1838-3), the small, bust-length caricature of Democratic editor Francis Preston Blair shows him looking even mo... More
The house that the rogues built
Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Political balance - U.S. Presidential Elections
Election of 1840. The "log cabin and hard cider" campaign. A balance marked "government's true scales" and supported by "popular opinion" has William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidates on one side and Martin V... More
The license system illustrated by Cha's Jewell
An anti-Catholic temperance cartoon. To the left a group of officials debates the licensing of a tavern in Massachusetts in 1840. To the right the Pope sells licenses to rob and to murder in Rome in 1520. The c... More
Dedicated to the firemen of Roxbury
Public domain image of a historic building, 16th, 17th, 18th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.
The returns of the election - U.S. Presidential Elections
On item: This plate is intended to represent the returns of the presidential election as they will be received in Philadelphia; the different States are represented by balloons; the States of Virginia, N-York &... More
Send back the money!!! - A drawing of a group of men playing a game of...
A cartoon about the money received by the Free Church of Scotland from the slaveholding states of the South. The figures are identified in the lower margin. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Caricature, The modern colossus, public domain cartoon image
Election of 1848. Martin van Buren, ex-President and "Free-Soil" Party candidate is shown trying to bridge the gap between the Whig-Abolition platform and the Democratic platform. Both major parties, the Whigs ... More
The sad parting between two old friends
Senators Thomas Hart Benton and Henry S. Foote are paired here in a facetious farewell scene, as Benton departs the "Shop of the Senate." In reality Benton lost his Senate seat in a January 1851 election, large... More
Caricature, The champion of despotism, public domain cartoon image
A satire critical of New York "Courier and Enquirer" editor, James Watson Webb for his journalistic assaults on exiled Hungarian revolutionary leader Louis Kossuth. Weitenkampf dates the cartoon 1852, but it ma... More
A Massachusetts baby show
Babies with the heads of prominent men. P. T. Barnum in center. Henry Wilson is "the wise baby" with garments ("Know-Nothing," "Free-Soil") to suit any change in the political atmosphere, Charles Sumner is the ... More
The "Ostend Doctrine," practical Democrats carrying out the principle
James Buchanan, U. S. Minister to Great Britain, was one of the formulators of the "Ostend Manifesto" which stated that the U. S. should first try to buy Cuba from Spain or if that didn't work the U. S. should ... More
Blockade of the steamer United States in the East River, New York by M...
Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The morning after the election, November 1856
Election of 1856. Democrat James Buchanan sits reading the returns of the election while newspaper editors approach from the left. Behind them the defeated Republican candidate John C. Fremont rides off into th... More
Caricature, National types. America., public domain cartoon image
An English caricature of the typical American; a shabby haired, well-dressed figure with a bag of greenbacks under his arm. A locomotive marked progress is in the background. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
This poor bird was found hovering over Woods' Hole…
Four Massachusetts(?) politicians trying to fit the American eagle with false teeth. References to Know Nothingism and several puns on names. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Liberty, the fair maid of Kansas in the hands of the "border ruffians"
This cartoon "portrays the Democratic leaders as jovial and unscrupulous marauders. Robbery, murder and abduction (common occurrences during the struggle between free-soil and pro-slavery advocates in the new s... More
The great Republican reform party.
Presidential campaign of 1856. John C. Fremont, Republican candidate running on a "Free-soil" platform was defeated by James Buchanan the Democratic candidate. In this cartoon, Fremont is approached by 6 "would... More
Shall I vote for ten cents a day?
Election of 1856. While Democrat James Buchanan, the eventual victor, speaks in the background, his opponents, Know-Nothing - Whig Millard Fillmore (center) and John C. Fremont (left) propose some sort of "stop... More
Caricature, The New-York elephant, public domain cartoon image
Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Caricature, "Buck" taking the "pot", public domain cartoon image
Election of 1856. James Buchanan, Democrat, carries off the price a pot of "Union Soup" while his opponents' spoons in hand fail to reach it. John C. Fremont trips over the rock of disunion. His Republican part... More
That blessed baby Napoleon III Emperor of the French
Cartoon commemorating the birth of French Prince Napoleon Eugene Louis Jean Joseph. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Southern chivalry - argument versus club's
Three days after his speech "The crimes against Kansas" in the Senate, Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was attacked by Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina and severely beaten with a heavy cane. Sumn... More
The great American buck hunt of 1856
Another Currier satire favoring American party candidate Millard Fillmore. A "buck" (James Buchanan) runs toward the White House, visible in the distance, as the two rival candidates take aim at him with their ... More
The pious Mr. All-Bone, taking leave of his directors previous to his ...
Cartoon about the Panic of 1857 satirizing the dubious overseas departure of the Bank of Pennsylvania president Thomas Allibone preceding the failure of the financial institution in the fall of 1857. Allibone c... More
The pious Mr. All-Bone, taking leave of his directors previous to his ...
Cartoon about the Panic of 1857 satirizing the dubious overseas departure of the Bank of Pennsylvania president Thomas Allibone preceding the failure of the financial institution in the fall of 1857. Allibone c... More
Spoons as Falstaff mustering the impeachment managers
Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Caricature, One of 'm, public domain cartoon image
Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The little giant in the character of the gladiator
Election of 1860. This cartoon shows Democratic candidate Stephen Douglas as a gladiator ready to fight for the principle of popular sovereignty.. Douglas is shown with a full chin-beard and shaven upper lip as... More
Terrible effect of my first bombshells in Boston
Eccentric George Francis Train addresses an anti-slavery audience of Henry Wilson, Charles Sumner and Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts on the virtues and responsibilities of the "Superior race." Courtesy of... More
The great match at Baltimore, between the "Illinois Bantam" and the "O...
Second Democratic Convention meeting. The Illinois Bantam Stephen A. Douglas defeats James Buchanan, incumbent president, for the nomination but still faces a challenge from John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky. Th... More
Our national bird as it appeared when handed to James Buchanan, March ...
The iconic national bird, representing the Union, is strong and healthy at the beginning of Democrat James Buchanan’s administration, but by the time Republican Abraham Lincoln assumed the Presidency, it is gau... More
Little Bo-Peep and her foolish sheep
Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The Dis-United States. Or the Southern Confederacy
The Confederate leaders are portrayed as a band of competing opportunists led by South Carolina governor and secessionist Francis Pickens (far left). The artist criticizes the January 1861 secession of five sta... More
Don't want it now. We want to be let alone.
Comments on the defense of Washington. A lion with the head of Union General Winfield Scott defends Washington, while a goat with the head of Jefferson Davis declares "Don't want it now, we want to be let alone... More
Why don't you take it? - A drawing of a dog and a man in a hat
A bulldog (Gen. Winfield Scott) wearing a collar inscribed "Old General" guarding kegs of beans, messpork, bags of money, a cannon barrel, and a flag while a greyhound (Jefferson Davis) wearing a collar inscrib... More
The fox without a tail. - An old political cartoon of a fox without a ...
A satire on South Carolina's role as instigator of secessionism in the South. The artist may be lampooning the convention of seceded states which assembled at Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4, 1861. The promi... More
That feed wont do. - A political cartoon of a man and a cow
Public domain image of cattle, livestock, farm animals, agriculture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
The Hercules of the Union, slaying the great dragon of secession
General Winfield Scott, a hero of the Mexican War and unsuccessful Whig candidate for President in 1852, was in command of the Union forces at the beginning of the Civil War. He resigned late in 1861, father th... More
The way to fix 'em - A cartoon of a man sitting on a chair
Jefferson Davis roasting chestnuts over the fire at Fort Sumter. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Caricature, Bloomerism in practice, public domain cartoon image
Mrs. Turkey reposing on her laurels, waiting for breakfast. Mr. Turkey mending his coat-tail. Enters master Turkey crying: "Oh Ma! Breakfast will never be ready, for Biddy says she wants to be like Missus and w... More
The political arena - A political cartoon of a group of people
This cartoon was probably published during the opening months of the Civil War. The rats - one for each Confederate state - having nibbled at a cheese marked "Sumter", find that they are hemmed in by a wall of ... More
Re-Union on the Secesh-Democratic Plan
A cynical view of Democratic efforts to pursue a negotiated end to the secession of the Confederate states. Here President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis confronts Brother Jonathan, who stumbles under the e... More
Giant-able manifest destiny - Drawing. Public domain image.
Ulysses S. Grant as a juggler, juggling rings with the names of potential U. S. possessions and spheres of influence written on them. Courtesy of Boston Public Library
City Inspector Boole at work
Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Copperheads worshiping their idol.
Election of 1864. A cartoonist's view of what would happen if George B. McClellan the Democratic candidate won the election. Although he tried to disclaim it to some extent, McClellan was saddled with the Chica... More